Description
Contract: Permanent, 35 hours per week
Salary: £26,660 to £31,000
Location: Burford OX18 4P
Closing date: 21/01/2026
Interview date: 02/02/2026
Do you want to turn adrenaline into animal welfare?
At Blue Cross, we believe every pet deserves a healthy life in a happy home. We are looking for a passionate Challenge Events Officer to help us make that happen—one marathon, muddy obstacle course, and skydive at a time.
This isn’t just about marketing and logistics; it’s about inspiring ordinary people to do extraordinary things for pets in need.
More about the role
As our Challenge Events Officer, you will be the driving force behind our third-party events portfolio. You will be the person who rallies the troops for the iconic London Marathon and recruits everyday heroes to take on challenges that change lives.
Reporting to the Community and Events Manager, you will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the fundraiser experience - from the moment they see an ad to the moment they cross the finish line.
What you’ll be doing
* Championing the portfolio: You will take full ownership of our third-party challenge events, including managing our presence at major events like the London Marathon.
* Recruiting our heroes: You will develop and execute creative marketing plans to recruit participants using social media, paid advertising, and by engaging with our public-facing centres, hospitals, and shops.
* The ultimate cheerleader: You will design and deliver a sector-leading "stewardship journey." Your goal is to ensure every fundraiser feels supported, motivated, and maximized in their fundraising efforts.
* Managing the money: You will deliver and manage income and expenditure budgets, ensuring we stay on track and transparent in our financial reporting.
* Always Improving: You will review current processes and analyze fundraising activities with a sharp focus on improving Return on Investment (ROI).
* Staying ahead of the pack: You will research and benchmark our activity against the charity sector to ensure Blue Cross remains competitive and innovative.
* Innovating: You will help develop, implement, and evaluate new fundraising concepts to keep our offers fresh and exciting.
* Collaborating: You will work hand-in-hand with internal teams to ensure our marketing, recruitment, and supporter journeys are seamless.
* Upholding standards: You will ensure all challenge event activities follow best practices and compliance.
About you
This role requires a highly organised individual with a passion for fundraising. The ability to manage multiple projects whilst consistently meeting deadlines is essential.
Experience in developing fundraising reports, managing income and expenditure budgets. Strong communication and a collaborative spirit are key, as is a creative mind for developing fundraising strategies. Flexibility for occasional travel and out of hours work is required.
Essential qualifications, skills, and experience
* Proven experience working in challenge event fundraising
* Demonstrable experience in researching, planning, delivering and evaluating a range of challenge event fundraising activities.
* The ability to develop and deliver marketing plans to recruit third party challenge event participants through a variety of channels.
* The ability to develop and execute an inspiring stewardship journey to maximise income generation.
* Experience of budget management including income and expenditure.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders (donors, sponsors, participants, volunteers, team members)
* Ability to lead on and manage a variety of projects with simultaneous priorities
* A full driving licence is required
* The ability to demonstrate, apply and understand our key Blue Cross Values
Desirable qualifications, skills, and experience
* Experience in obtaining corporate sponsorship for challenge events
* Experience working with fundraising databases (D365) and MS office suite to manage donor data, create reports and communicate effectively
* The ability to thrive in independent and collaborative environments
* A creative and innovative mind for developing marketing, stewardship and development strategies
How to apply
Click the apply button below and complete the online application process before the closing date on 21/01/2026.
Ready to hit the ground running? Apply today and help us change lives.
Blue Cross benefits
Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it were not for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make the difference that we do today.
In return, Blue Cross wants to ensure we provide you with the best working environment we can. We want you to be happy working for us and will do everything we can to make sure you are.
Our generous benefits package includes:
* Full time equivalent of 38 days holiday rising to 43 with service (including Bank Holidays)
* Programmes for physical and mental wellbeing support
* Free access to GP via MetLife- 24/7 GP services, private prescriptions and more for you and your family
* Health cash plan
* Unlimited access to an employee assistance programme
* Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution
* Professional fees paid with Continuing Professional Development and personal development support.
* Life assurance
* 20% discount on Pet Plan pet insurance
* Enhanced family friendly policies
* Recognition scheme
* Annual volunteer days
* Charity worker discounts across a variety of retailers
To read more about the benefits Blue Cross has to offer, please visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.
If you’d like to learn more about Blue Cross, our mission, and the work we do to support animals and people, take a look at our About Us page